Victoria Yakusha (b. 1982, Dnipro, Ukraine) is an architect, designer, and artist internationally recognized for her philosophy of “live design,” rooted in nature, material honesty, and Ukrainian cultural heritage. Trained in Ukraine and France, she founded her architectural studio in 2007, later establishing FAINA in 2014, a design brand dedicated to furniture, lighting, and objects inspired by Ukrainian traditions. Her approach, known as “live minimalism,” combines reduced forms with ecological awareness and natural materials including clay, wood, wool, willow, and her sustainable composite, Ztista.

Since 2022, Yakusha has expanded her independent practice through international collaborations and collectible collections. Her work bridges architecture, craft, and contemporary design, embedding ancestral codes within a minimalist, forward-looking language. Beyond design, she actively supports Ukrainian cultural heritage and craftsmanship, connecting international creatives with local artisans. Through her practice, Yakusha positions design as a means of preserving cultural memory while creating objects with lasting environmental and emotional value.